City Council unnanimously passed a 15-year Comcast communications franchise with far reaching public benefits for low-income communities, and for all Comcast customers, now and into the future. Please read the release from the CAP Comcast coalition below.

On Dec. 3rd, City Council’s Public Property Committee, chaired by Councilman Bobby Henon and with the support of all committee members, passed a 15-year Comcast communications franchise with far reaching public benefits for low-income communities, and for all Comcast customers, now and into the future. The franchise then received first reading before the full Council. The statement linked here can be attributed to Hannah Sassaman, Policy Director at Media Mobilizing Project, which coordinates the Corporate Accountability Project (CAP) Comcast campaign.

Today, Councilman Bobby Henon introduced, and City Council passed, a resolution authorizing the committees on Public Property and Public Works, and on Technology and Information Services, to hold hearings on a once-in-a-generation negotiation with the Comcast Corporation.

The FCC will consider intervening in two state laws that curtail cities and communities’ choices to build their own competitive broadband networks. A majority vote in favor of this proposal could undo over 20 state laws — including one in PA — that prevent municipally built networks.

On November 11th, President Barack Obama released a powerful, unambiguous statement in support of reclassifying the internet as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act. He also noted that mobile internet – on phone and tablet, as well as computer – should be protected under Title II.

In response to criticism led by communities nationwide, including leaders at Media Mobilizing Project, Comcast is amending their Internet Essentials discount internet program for poor families. Read MMP’s statement on the changes here.

Media Mobilizing Project is announcing the launch of the CAP Comcast (Corporate Accountability Project) campaign. CAP Comcast will bring people together to inform Philadelphia on what we need from another potential 15-year Comcast franchise.

The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Innovation and Technology released a public survey, asking Philadelphians to share their “cable television related needs and interests”, as the City moves forward in negotiations with Comcast in the potential renewal of their current 15-year cable television franchise. Read a statement from MMP’s Co-Executive Director, Bryan Mercer.